Among Houston skyscrapers, the Niels Esperson Building has a personality all its own.

Among Houston skyscrapers, the Niels Esperson Building has a personality all its own.

Photo: Chronicle file

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The Niels Esperson Building in earlier days.

The Niels Esperson Building in earlier days.

Photo: Chronicle file.

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The Niels Esperson Building was designed by John Eberson of Chicago.

The Niels Esperson Building was designed by John Eberson of Chicago.

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The Niels Esperson Building under construction.

The Niels Esperson Building under construction.

Photo: Chronicle file

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A 1936 street scene with the Niels Esperson Building in the background.

A 1936 street scene with the Niels Esperson Building in the background.

Photo: Chronicle file

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Mayor Parker reveals her favorite downtown building

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In Prime Property’s new series Sublime Property, architects, writers, community leaders and others will write about their favorite Houston building, public space or neighborhood — anything from the built environment.

Houston Mayor Annise Parker’s favorite downtown building is the Niels Esperson Building, although she is also a big fan of the Mellie Esperson Building.

The 32-story Niels Esperson Building opened in 1927 and was designed by architect John Eberson of Chicago. In Houston: Architectural Guide, author Stephen Fox describes the building’s Italian Renaissance details, and calls the entrance portal on Travis “a classical architectural monument par excellence.”

Here are Mayor Parker’s thoughts on the Esperson Buildings, the Niels Esperson Building in particular:

I’ve always enjoyed the Esperson buildings in downtown Houston, and recently I was able to take a tour.

It was great to see the intricate embellishments such as cow skulls and bobcats, as well as the ornate elevators and cupola on top. I’ve been going there since I was a little girl and passed through many times when I used to work downtown early in my career. It’s been wonderfully restored and adapted.

I appreciate the details in both the Millie and Niels Esperson Buildings, but I personally prefer the Niels.